Lieutenant Colonel Ellwood distinguished himself as a conspicuous commander and an inspirational leader throughout his tour of duty in southern Iraq. His calm, assured and resolute actions when responding to incidents of enemy activity instilled confidence in his Command Team and inspired the Battle Group to combat ongoing threats of direct fire, improvised explosive devices, suicide attacks and indirect fire successfully throughout its tour.

Lieutenant Colonel Ellwood positioned his Battle Group central to the delivery of reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts within his area of responsibility. His achievements are of the highest order and in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.